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In prosperity, our inner strength remains static. In adversity, our inner strength becomes dynamic.None can deny the fact that every step of progress which the world has made has come from both the smiles of prosperity and the tears of adversity.
Adversity, like poverty, is no sin. One merit of adversity none can deny: it helps us to be stronger within. The stronger we are within, the brighter we are without.
“No suffering, no salvation,” so says the teacher adversity to his student, man.
“No soul’s delight, no salvation,” so says the teacher prosperity to his student, man.
One who is afraid of studying in the school of adversity can never hope for a perfect education in life.
Misfortune threatens prosperity; hope ignores adversity.
How often is our aspiration forced into play by dire adversity! But in glorious prosperity rarely does it peep out.
No fall, no rise. Just as a wrestler often bears away the prize only after he has suffered numerous falls, even so, hell is to be experienced before Heaven is won.
What is failure, if not an important portion, unrecognised, in the configuration of our whole fruitful success?
Failure can have a soothing medicine to relieve it from its pangs and that medicine is consolation. Failure can have an energising medicine to relieve it from its pangs, and that medicine is will-power.
The world is strewn with difficulties. In a sense, it is full of thorns. But if you put on shoes you can walk on the thorns. What are these shoes made of? They are made of God’s Grace.
